Should women lift weights? I've never lifted weights before. All those big, strong guys lifting heavy weights sorta scare me away! I've heard good benefits result from women lifting weights though... Is that true???

Lifting weights is for everyone, especially women. Lifting weights help on some many levels: strength, injury prevention, osteoporosis, weight loss, I could keep going.

I would suggest that you do one of two things though, if you've never lifted before: start on the machine weights (most of them prevent you from moving in ways that could be harmful to your body) or get a personal trainer to show you how to use the weights. I know at the YMCA they have a 12-week program to introduce you to the weights... I would highly recommend some type of formal training in the weight room.

Thanks for your reply. I'll look into getting some weight lifting training, I think it will be good for me!

I've been lifting weights since about the 8th grade. I've read so many health benefits, especially for women, and weight lifting.

Here are a few of the benefits that I have read:

1. Metabolism increases. Muscle maintenance requires more fuel than fat does; therefore the metabolic furnace is fired up. This means that even at rest, your muscles are burning more fat.
   
   
2. The density of the skeletal bones increases. Weight bearing exercise builds sturdier bones. This is of particular importance to women who may be prone to osteoporosis due to decreasing estrogen levels during menopause or a genetic predisposition.
   
   
3. Weight training develops stronger ligaments and tendons. These joint supports tend to weaken as we age. Strength training allows for continued enjoyment of the activities you love throughout all the stages of life.
   
   
4. Prevents atrophy. Unless you use them, your muscles gradually decrease in size and strength (atrophy). Without training, humans lose more than ½ pound of muscle every year after age 25!

I had never lifted until this year ... over the last 6 months I have continually added weights ... last month I started to move to free weights .. I will say that I am very intimidated by the free weight area .. I often will grab what I need and go to a more private area due to my self esteem ...

Have you noticed a difference since you started lifting weights? More specifically since you started using free weights? Free weights use different muscles than the machines do. For example, free weights incorporate the stabilizing muscles that machines don't and they may be more effective in producing overall muscular strength.

I can understand how the free weight area can be intimidating, but I think lifting with free weights help sculpt your body in ways that machines are incapable of doing. Machine weights are still good. I think it's good to mix it up.

I have not yet seen any physical changes ... I think that is because I still have a lot of weight to loose .. but I am seeing it in my strength ...

Strength change is good! Stronger muscles help to burn more calories.

Hey Paige,

Keep in mind that you only see the change in the mirror from yesterday to today... not from a month ago to today. If you are getting serious and want motivation through results... you really should take pictures and measurements so as not to get fooled by just looking for changes in the mirror... just a thought... For the record I noticed a difference from the workouts we did in the begining to now in your biceps

Who says the men and women need to train and eat differently to get lean? The truth is that they DON'T. The bottom line is that the best exercises for increasing the metabolism and stimulating the fat burning hormones are the best exercises regardless of gender. The only thing that is going to change is that in general, the females will require fewer calories, and usually use lighter weights than men, but the fact remains that the best training and nutrition strategies apply equally to both genders.

To be honest, one of the main reasons that so many women struggle to make progress is that they aren't training the right way to increase thier metabolic rate and trigger the proper hormonal response from the exercise. The majority of women spend way too much time with monotonous endless cardio routines, and tiny little 3-5 lb weights. This kind of training will get you NOWHERE!

I can show you ladies how to get the most of your workouts, and get results fast.

http://bodyfitness.blinkweb.com

Try to avoid oily things and use low carb diet foods
Drink plenty of water to lose weight.
Go for running especially go for morning walk
Do swimming and workout

Hey...

Some of the important things....

Drink plenty of water
Use Salads,
Fresh Juices in your diet...

Moodoff Day